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WHO WILL VISIT KARABAKH FIRST?
Naira Hayrumyan
Lragir.am News
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments23430.html
16:30:49 - 20/09/2011
EU is not engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh issue within the
frameworks of Eastern Partnership, though this does not mean that
Karabakh's representatives are not allowed to participate in the
conferences of the European Movement. This was stated by the Head of
the European Movement Diego Pinto in his press conference in Yerevan.
For his part, the EU Commissioner on Enlargement and Neighborhood
Policy Stefan Fule stated that the "European Union will gradually
increase its role in the settlement of regional conflicts, such
as Nagorno Karabakh or Transnistria". He said "we are starting a
process of programs of restoration of trust in these regions and we
will assume a more serious role in the settlement of these issues".
On October 20-21, the Congress of the International European Movement
will be held in Yerevan which will be attended by Catharine Ashton.
Prior to this, in the end of September, in Warsaw, the EU Eastern
Partnership summit will be held, which promises a breakthrough in
the EU-Armenia relations. In early October, the President of France
Nikolas Sarkozy is going to visit Armenia within the frameworks of
his tour in the South Caucasus.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani experts already say that the main burden
of the Karabakh conflict will be transferred from Moscow to Brussels.
In addition, the format and logic of the settlement may undergo
tangible changes. If currently a political settlement, territorial
concessions, military balance, return of refugees, recognition of
independence, peace agreement are considered which can cause sharp
transformations in the region, the new format implies softer methods.
The first sign of transition to the new format can be the EU direct
representation to Karabakh. Even if no office is set up there, there
will surely be set up a "headquarters" through which the EU policy
will be implemented in Karabakh.
Against this background, statements that the process of the NKR
recognition can take place not only through special declarations but
also through state visits are noteworthy. Official recognition is
very important but if a high ranking official of a powerful country
visits Karabakh and if the EU establishes direct contract with the NKR
authorities, and Bako Sahakyan meets with Barack Obama, for instance,
it will have the same significance.
The EU activity regarding the NKR issue can be determined by not only
its wish to get involved in the settlement but also a bouquet of other
tasks, such as the decrease of Russia's influence in the region and
Armenia's orientation to the West. Besides, EU's participation in the
Karabakh settlement can be a good leverage for restraining Turkey and
Azerbaijan's ambitions. With the help of such leverage Brussels can
force Baku to sign agreements on Nabucco. There are many tasks but
these are the EU's commitments, and Karabakh should draw up clearly
its agenda of relations with Europe. Most EU commitments are good
for NKR but Europe must treat Karabakh as an equal partner with
which issues are solved through agreements, rather than by force,
and especially for the sake of charity.
I wonder if Sarkozy will visit Karabakh. He is an eccentric
personality, so such a thing is possible in the logic of ongoing
transformations. Otherwise, Ahmadinejad may visit Karabakh first,
who is also an eccentric personality.
Naira Hayrumyan
Lragir.am News
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments23430.html
16:30:49 - 20/09/2011
EU is not engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh issue within the
frameworks of Eastern Partnership, though this does not mean that
Karabakh's representatives are not allowed to participate in the
conferences of the European Movement. This was stated by the Head of
the European Movement Diego Pinto in his press conference in Yerevan.
For his part, the EU Commissioner on Enlargement and Neighborhood
Policy Stefan Fule stated that the "European Union will gradually
increase its role in the settlement of regional conflicts, such
as Nagorno Karabakh or Transnistria". He said "we are starting a
process of programs of restoration of trust in these regions and we
will assume a more serious role in the settlement of these issues".
On October 20-21, the Congress of the International European Movement
will be held in Yerevan which will be attended by Catharine Ashton.
Prior to this, in the end of September, in Warsaw, the EU Eastern
Partnership summit will be held, which promises a breakthrough in
the EU-Armenia relations. In early October, the President of France
Nikolas Sarkozy is going to visit Armenia within the frameworks of
his tour in the South Caucasus.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani experts already say that the main burden
of the Karabakh conflict will be transferred from Moscow to Brussels.
In addition, the format and logic of the settlement may undergo
tangible changes. If currently a political settlement, territorial
concessions, military balance, return of refugees, recognition of
independence, peace agreement are considered which can cause sharp
transformations in the region, the new format implies softer methods.
The first sign of transition to the new format can be the EU direct
representation to Karabakh. Even if no office is set up there, there
will surely be set up a "headquarters" through which the EU policy
will be implemented in Karabakh.
Against this background, statements that the process of the NKR
recognition can take place not only through special declarations but
also through state visits are noteworthy. Official recognition is
very important but if a high ranking official of a powerful country
visits Karabakh and if the EU establishes direct contract with the NKR
authorities, and Bako Sahakyan meets with Barack Obama, for instance,
it will have the same significance.
The EU activity regarding the NKR issue can be determined by not only
its wish to get involved in the settlement but also a bouquet of other
tasks, such as the decrease of Russia's influence in the region and
Armenia's orientation to the West. Besides, EU's participation in the
Karabakh settlement can be a good leverage for restraining Turkey and
Azerbaijan's ambitions. With the help of such leverage Brussels can
force Baku to sign agreements on Nabucco. There are many tasks but
these are the EU's commitments, and Karabakh should draw up clearly
its agenda of relations with Europe. Most EU commitments are good
for NKR but Europe must treat Karabakh as an equal partner with
which issues are solved through agreements, rather than by force,
and especially for the sake of charity.
I wonder if Sarkozy will visit Karabakh. He is an eccentric
personality, so such a thing is possible in the logic of ongoing
transformations. Otherwise, Ahmadinejad may visit Karabakh first,
who is also an eccentric personality.